Containers for fire containment

ABSTRACT

A container includes a fire-retarding material, a substantially airtight cavity, and a reinforcement material. The substantially airtight cavity is formed by the fire-retarding material and is sized to hold at least one item. The reinforcement material is connected with the fire-retarding material.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to fire-protection containers which carry anitem and provide fire-protection and fire containment in case the itemcatches on fire within the container.

BACKGROUND

It is often necessary to transport or store items, which may catch onfire, in containers. These items may comprise electrical and electronicequipment, medical equipment, batteries, computers, tablets, mobilephones, or other types of items which may catch on fire.

A system and method is needed to provide a fire-protection container tocarry or store items which may catch on fire in order to prevent a fire,contain a fire, or retard a fire should one occur.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a container is disclosed. The container includes afire-retarding material, a substantially airtight cavity, and areinforcement material. The substantially airtight cavity is formed bythe fire-retarding material and is sized to hold at least one item. Thereinforcement material is connected with the fire-retarding material.

In another embodiment, a container is disclosed. The container includesa fire-retarding material, a cavity, and a reinforcement material. Thecavity is formed by the fire-retarding material. The reinforcementmaterial is connected with the fire-retarding material providingstrength reinforcement to the fire-retarding material. The containercomprises a computer case, a tablet case, a battery case, or a mobilephone case.

In still another embodiment, a method of storing or transporting an itemis disclosed. In one step, an item is disposed in a cavity of afire-retarding material of a container. In another step, the item isstored in the container or the container is transported, whilecontaining the item, from a first location to a second location.

The scope of the present disclosure is defined solely by the appendedclaims and is not affected by the statements within this summary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure can be better understood with reference to the followingdrawings and description. The components in the figures are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingthe principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a containerwith a removable cover of the container removed;

FIG. 2 illustrates the perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 withthe removable cover of the container attached;

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a cross-section view through anexterior wall of the container;

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a cross-section view through aninterior wall of the container;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the container of FIG. 2disposed within a second container;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a containerfor holding an item within a cavity of the container;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the container of FIG. 6disposed within a second container; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method ofcontaining an item.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a container10 with a removable cover 12 of the container 10 removed. FIG. 2illustrates the perspective view of the container 10 of FIG. 1 with theremovable cover 12 of the container 10 attached. As shown collectivelyin FIGS. 1 and 2, the container 10 may be disposed within a structure11. The structure 11 may comprise an aircraft, a train, a spacecraft,another type of vehicle, a building, or another type of structure. Thecontainer 10 comprises exterior walls 14 and interior walls 16 attachedto the exterior walls 14 forming a plurality of compartments 18 withinthe container 10. In other embodiments, the interior walls 16 may varyin number or be missing entirely, and there may be any number ofcompartments 18. The plurality of compartments 18 may each hold aseparate item 20. The items 20 may comprise lithium batteries, metallithium batteries, lithium polymer batteries, lithium ion batteries,lithium phosphorus batteries, other types of batteries, or other typesof items which may catch on fire. In other embodiments, the items 20 mayvary in type, number, or size.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a cross-section view through one ofthe exterior walls 14. The exterior walls 14 may comprise a vibrationisolating material 22, a fire-retarding material 24, a reinforcementmaterial 26, a water-repelling material 28, and an exterior material 30connected with one another. The vibration isolating material 22 may bedisposed as the inner-most material within the plurality of compartments18. The reinforcement material 26 may be interwoven with thefire-retarding material 24. The water-repelling material 28 may coverthe fire-retarding material 24 and the interwoven reinforcement material26. The exterior material 30 may be disposed on the outside of thecontainer 10 of FIG. 1 covering the water-repelling material 28, thereinforcement material 26, the fire-retarding material 24, and thevibration isolating material 22. In other embodiments, one or more ofthese materials may be connected with one another in a differentconfiguration, missing entirely, or another type of material may beadded.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term ‘connected with’ is defined asbeing any of: interwoven in the same layer; disposed in the same layer;or attached in separate layers. The removable cover 12 of FIG. 1 mayhave the identical cross-section as the exterior walls 14 as shown inFIG. 3. In other embodiments, the removable cover 12 may have a varyingcross-section with one or more of these materials connected with oneanother in a different configuration, missing entirely, or another typeof material added.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a cross-section view through one ofthe interior walls 16. The interior walls 16 may comprise the vibrationisolating material 22, the fire-retarding material 24, the reinforcementmaterial 26, and the water-repelling material 28 connected with oneanother. The vibration isolating material 22 may be disposed as theinner-most material within the plurality of compartments 18. Thereinforcement material 26 may be interwoven with the fire-retardingmaterial 24. The water-repelling material 28 may cover thefire-retarding material 24 and the interwoven reinforcement material 26.In other embodiments, one or more of these materials may be connectedwith one another in a different configuration, missing entirely, oranother type of material may be added.

The vibration isolating material 22 may comprise a closed cell,fire-resistant foam or rubber. The vibration isolating material 22 mayprevent chaffing or rubbing of the items 20 disposed within theplurality of compartments 18 of FIG. 1 to reduce the occurrence of afire. In other embodiments, the vibration isolating material 22 maycomprise any type of vibration isolating material which isolatesvibration of the items 20 held within the plurality of compartments 18.In one embodiment, the vibration isolating material 22 may comply withtable 8.1 of RTCA DO-160E, which is hereby incorporated by reference,for the appropriate location of the container 10. Alternatively, thevibration isolating material 22 can use ISO 2685 which is also herebyincorporated by reference. In other embodiments, the vibration isolatingmaterial 22 may vary. Throughout this disclosure, any time the term“vibration isolating” is used or a reference is made to vibrationisolating properties, the disclosure of this paragraph applies to theterm.

The fire-retarding material 24 is made of a material which retards fire,which doesn't ignite and contains the fire, which prevents the fire fromspreading, and which either suppresses the fire or extinguishes itthrough containment and lack of oxygen. The fire-retarding material 24may comprise poly(4,4′-oxydiphenylene-pryomellitimide). In otherembodiments, the fire-retarding material 24 may comprise any type offire-retarding material which retards fire having fire retardingproperties equivalent to Underwriter Laboratories (UL) Rating of UL-94V-0 (does not burn) and an operating temperature range of 2450 degreesF. to 3470 degrees F. In still other embodiments, the firstfire-retarding material 24 may vary further. The fire-retarding material24 may comprise mineral wool, mineral woven material, ceramic material,ceramic paper, silicone, glass fiber, metal, intumescent paint, acoating, or another type of fire-retarding material. Throughout thisdisclosure, any time the term “fire-retarding” is used or a reference ismade to fire-retarding properties, the disclosure of this paragraphapplies to the term.

The reinforcement material 26 may comprise a ceramic, ceramic fiber,woven ceramic fabric, metal, glass fiber, ceramic wool, mineral wool,wool, or another type of reinforcement material which providesreinforcement to the fire-retarding material 24. The reinforcementmaterial 26 may provide strength to the fire-retarding material 24 toreduce the likelihood of damage to the fire-retarding material 24. Thereinforcement material 26 may provide additional strength to thematerial(s) being reinforced and preventing the material(s) from tearingor disintegrating. In one embodiment, the reinforcement material 26 hasa fiber density of 2.2 to 2.7 gm/cm³, a fiber diameter of 9 to 14 micron(Um), and a fiber tensile strength of 1.7 to 5.9 Gpa (Gigapascal) toprovide strength. In other embodiments, the reinforcement material 26may vary. Throughout this disclosure, any time the term “reinforcement”is used or a reference is made to reinforcement properties, thedisclosure of this paragraph applies to the term.

The water-repelling material 28 may provide water-repelling propertiesto the fire-retarding material 24 to reduce the likelihood ofdegradation of the fire-retarding material 24 and prevent waterabsorption. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “water-repelling”is defined as preventing water from being absorbed by the base material.The water-repelling material 28 comprises silicone or another type ofwater-repelling material, coating, or spray. In one embodiment, thewater-repelling material 28 has a water repellency requirement towaterproof test to ASTM D-3393 (2009). In other embodiments, thewater-repelling material 28 may have varying water repellency.Throughout this disclosure, any time the term “water-repelling” is usedor a reference is made to water-repelling properties, the disclosure ofthis paragraph applies to the term.

The exterior material 30 may comprise steel, a composite, titanium,ceramic, nickel alloy, composite, or another material able to withstandhigh temperatures and a harsh environment. In still other embodiments,the exterior walls 14, the interior walls 16, and the removable cover 12may be made of varying materials in varying arrangements, may vary innumber, may vary in configuration, may vary in orientation, or may varyin size.

The plurality of compartments 18 shown in FIG. 1 may be substantiallyairtight when the removable cover 12 is attached to the container 10 asshown in FIG. 2 covering the substantially airtight cavity 32 of thecontainer 10 within which the plurality of compartments 18 are disposed(all of the plurality of compartments 18 may be substantially airtightforming collectively one substantially airtight cavity 32 within thebatter container 10). For purposes of this disclosure, the termsubstantially airtight is defined as substantially preventing air orgases from going in or out of the cavity 32. In one embodiment, the term“substantially airtight” may comprise preventing 75% to 100% of air orgases from going in or out of the cavity 32. In other embodiments, thesubstantially airtight cavity 32 may prevent varying levels of air orgases from going in or out of the cavity 32. In one embodiment, thesubstantially airtight cavity 32 may be under vacuum with a pressure of1×10⁻³ to 1×10⁻⁹ Torr or a pressure of 1×10⁻⁹ to 1×10⁻⁷ Pa whichextinguishes a fire due to lack of air and thus lack of oxygen. In otherembodiments, the substantially airtight cavity 32 may be under varyinglevels of vacuum to make the cavity 32 substantially airtight.Throughout this disclosure, any time the term “substantially airtight”is used or a reference is made to being airtight, the disclosure of thisparagraph applies to the term.

The removable cover 12 may be attached to the container 10 with aclosure member 34 to lock the removable cover 12 in place covering thesubstantially airtight cavity 12. The closure member 34 may comprise aplurality of fasteners, bolts, or another type of closure member forsecuring the removable cover 12 in place to cover the substantiallyairtight cavity 32. The closure member 34 may be designed to take highpressure and temperature.

The removable cover 12 may be sealed to the container 10 with a sealingmember 36 to provide a substantially airtight closure. The sealingmember 36 may comprise a fire-resistant gasket, silicone, or other typeof fire-resistant sealing material to contain the temperatures. Thecontainer 10 may further comprise a vacuum device 37 connected to thesubstantially airtight cavity 32 for vacuuming air out of the cavity 32to assist in making the cavity 32 substantially airtight. The vacuumdevice 37 may comprise a vacuum, a vacuum check valve with a pressurecap, or another type of vacuum device. The vacuum device 37 may alsocomprise a pressure relief device such as a rupture disc, a frangibledisc, a relief valve, or another type of pressure relief device and mayor may not be connected to a vent tube. The vacuum device 37 may furthercomprise a flame arrester device. In other embodiments, the pressurerelief device or flame arrester may be separate from the vacuum device37.

The container 10 may further comprise at least one sensor 38 connectedto the substantially airtight cavity 32. The at least one sensor 38comprises a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a smoke sensor, or afire sensor. At least one communication device 40 is attached to the atleast one sensor 38 for transmitting a signal (wireless or wired) to aremotely located receiver 42 in order to pass on information detected bythe at least one sensor 38 to the remotely located receiver 42. Theremotely located receiver 42 may be connected to a control instrument ofthe structure 11 to alert a person operating the structure 11 of thefire or to alert a system.

The container 10 may further comprise an indicator 44 disposed on anexterior of the container 10 which is adapted to indicate whether a firehas occurred in the substantially airtight cavity 32 of the container10. The indicator 44 may comprise a visual or audio indicator which isconnected to the at least one sensor 38. The container 10 may furthercomprise a fire-extinguishing device 46 connected to the substantiallyairtight cavity 32. The fire-extinguishing device 46 may be adapted toautomatically activate in the event of a fire in the substantiallyairtight cavity 32 to extinguish the fire. The fire-extinguishing device46 may contain the appropriate fire-extinguishing medium to put out afire caused by the items 20 such as sodium chloride dry powder for classD fires, potassium acetate, graphite with magnesium distearate, oranother type of fire-extinguishing medium.

The container 10 may further comprise an exit member 48 connected to thesubstantially airtight cavity 32 for exiting gas from a fire out of thesubstantially airtight cavity 32. The exit member 48 may comprise a tubeor other member which is normally sealed but which becomes unsealed whena fire breaks out within the substantially airtight cavity 32 in orderto remove the gas from the substantially airtight cavity 32. The exitmember 48 may exit the gas from the substantially airtight cavity 32 tooutside the structure 11. The exit member 48 may comprise a flamearrestor device to prevent flames from existing the container. In otherembodiments, the flame arrestor device may be separate from the existmember 48.

The container 10 may further comprise at least one connection member 50connecting the items 20 disposed within the substantially airtightcavity 32 to a system 52 of the structure 11 for powering the system 52.The at least one connection member 50 may comprise an electricalterminal which is wired to the system 52. The system 52 may comprise abattery charger, a back-up power system, a generator, or another type ofsystem.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the container 10 of FIG. 2disposed within a second container 60. The second container 60 is madeof a material which is able to withstand high temperature and a harshenvironment such as steel, titanium, ceramic, nickel, alloy, composite,or another type of material. Attachment members 62 are disposed betweenthe container 10 and the second container 60. The attachment members maycomprise spacers holding the container 10 and the second container 60 adistance apart from one another leaving an annulus space 63 betweenthem. The annulus space 63 may be empty or filled with insulatingmaterial 64 such as ceramic, wool, a honeycomb material, or another typeof insulating material. A removable cover 66 may be remove-ably attachedto the second container 60. The second container 60 and the annulusspace 63 provide additional fire protection and fire containment in casethe item in the first container 60 catches fire. In other embodiments,the container 10 may be contained within any number of additionalcontainers to provide additional fire protection and fire containment incase the item in the first container 60 catches fire.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a container110 for holding an item 111 within a cavity 132 of the container 110.The container 110 may comprise a computer case, a tablet case, a batterycase, or a mobile phone case. In other embodiments, the container 110may comprise varying types of containers. The item 111 may comprise acomputer, a tablet, a battery, or a mobile phone. In other embodiments,the item 111 may comprise varying types of items.

The container 110 may comprise walls 113 which comprise a vibrationisolating material, a fire-retarding material, a reinforcement material,a water-repelling material, and exterior material connected with oneanother. The walls 113 may have the identical cross-sectionconfiguration as shown in FIG. 3. In other embodiments, these materialsmay have a varying configuration or orientation, one or more of thesematerials may be missing, or another type of material may be added.

The vibration isolating material may be attached to the fire-retardingmaterial. The vibration isolating material may be disposed on aninterior of the container 110 and may comprise a closed cell,fire-resistant foam or rubber. The vibration isolating material mayprevent chaffing of the item 111 disposed within the container 110 toreduce the occurrence of a fire. In other embodiments, the vibrationisolating material may comprise any type of vibration isolating materialwhich isolates vibration of the item 111 held within the container 110.

The fire-retarding material may comprisepoly(4,4′-oxydiphenylene-pryomellitimide), mineral wool, mineral wovenmaterial, ceramic material, ceramic paper, silicone, glass fiber, metal,intumescent paint, a coating, or another type of fire-retarding materialwhich retards fire.

The reinforcement material may be interwoven with the fire-retardingmaterial and may comprise a ceramic, a metal, glass fiber, wool, wovenceramic fabric, ceramic wool, mineral wool, or another type ofreinforcement material which provides strength reinforcement to reducethe likelihood of damage to the fire-retarding material.

The water-repelling material may cover the fire-retarding material andthe interwoven reinforcement material. The water-repelling material maycomprise silicone or another type of material which repels water. Thewater-repelling material may reduce the likelihood of degradation of thefire-retarding material.

The exterior material may be disposed on the outside of the container110 covering the water-repelling material, the reinforcement material,the fire-retarding material, and the vibration isolating material. Theexterior material may comprise steel, composite, titanium, ceramic,nickel alloy, or any type of material.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the container 110 of FIG. 6disposed within a second container 140. The second container 140 is madeof a material which is able to withstand high temperature and a harshenvironment such as steel, titanium, ceramic, nickel, alloy, composite,or another type of material. Attachment members 142 are disposed betweenthe container 110 and the second container 140. The attachment membersmay comprise spacers holding the container 110 and the second container140 a distance apart leaving an annulus space 143 between them. Theannulus space 143 may be empty or filled with insulating material 144such as ceramic, wool, a honeycomb material, or another type ofinsulating material. A removable cover 146 may be remove-ably attachedto the second container 140. The second container 140 and the annulusspace 143 provide additional fire protection and fire containment incase the item in the first container 110 catches fire. In otherembodiments, the container 110 may be contained within any number ofadditional containers to provide additional fire protection and firecontainment in case the item in the first container 110 catches fire.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method 260 ofstoring or transporting an item which may start a fire, such as abattery, computer, tablet, mobile phone, or other type of item. In step262, the item is disposed in a substantially airtight cavity of afire-retarding material of a container. The fire-retarding material maycomprise poly(4,4′-oxydiphenylene-pryomellitimide) or another type offire-retarding material. The fire-retarding material may be connectedwith a water-repelling material such as silicone, a reinforcementmaterial such as ceramic fiber, and a vibration isolating material suchas a closed cell, fire-resistant foam or rubber. In other embodiments,the fire-retarding material, the water-repelling material, thereinforcement material, and the vibration isolating material may vary.In still other embodiments, one or more of the fire-retarding material,the water-repelling material, the reinforcement material, or thevibration isolating material may be missing or another material may bepresent.

In step 264, the item is stored in the container or the container istransported, while containing the item, from a first location to asecond location. In another embodiment, step 264 may further comprisethe container being disposed in a structure such as a vehicle or anotherstructure, and a system of the structure being powered with the itemwhile the items is disposed in the substantially airtight cavity of thecontainer.

In step 266, a pressure, a temperature, smoke, or fire is sensed withinthe substantially airtight cavity of the container using a sensor. Instep 268, the sensor communicates with a receiver to pass alonginformation from the sensor. In step 270, the presence of a fire withinthe substantially airtight cavity is indicated with an indicator. Instep 272, a fire within the substantially airtight cavity of thecontainer is extinguished with an automated fire-extinguishing device.In step 274, gas from the fire is exited out of the substantiallyairtight cavity of the container through an exit member connected to thesubstantially airtight cavity. In other embodiments, one or more stepsof the method may be not followed, altered in order, or one or moreadditional steps may be added.

The Abstract is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain thenature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scopeor meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separately claimed subject matter.

While particular aspects of the present subject matter described hereinhave been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modificationsmay be made without departing from the subject matter described hereinand its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are toencompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as arewithin the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein.Furthermore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is defined bythe appended claims. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be restrictedexcept in light of the appended claims and their equivalents.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of storing or transporting an item comprising: storing a battery in a substantially airtight cavity of a first container, the substantially airtight cavity formed by a fire-retarding material with a reinforcement material connected with the fire-retarding material; disposing the first container in a second container and attaching the second container to the first container with one or more attachment members so that an annulus space is disposed between the first container and the second container; and disposing the first container in a vehicle, and powering a system of the vehicle with the battery while the battery is disposed in the substantially airtight cavity of the first container.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the fire-retarding material comprises poly(4,4′-oxydiphenylene-pryomellitimide).
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the fire-retarding material is connected with a water-repelling material.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the fire-retarding material is a water-repelling material comprises silicone.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the reinforcement material comprise a ceramic fiber, a mineral, glass, or a composite fiber.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the fire-retarding material is connected with a vibration isolating material.
 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising sensing a pressure, a temperature, smoke, or fire within the substantially airtight cavity of the first container with a sensor.
 8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the sensor communicating with a receiver.
 9. The method of claim 1 further comprising extinguishing a fire within the substantially airtight cavity of the first container with an automatic fire-extinguishing device.
 10. The method of claim 1 further comprising indicating presence of a fire within the substantially airtight cavity of the first container with an indicator.
 11. The method of claim 1 further comprising exiting gas from a fire out of the substantially airtight cavity of the first container through an exit member connected to the substantially airtight cavity.
 12. The method of claim 1 wherein the storing the battery in the substantially airtight cavity of the fire-retarding material of the first container comprises disposing a computer, a tablet, or a mobile phone that contains the battery in the substantially airtight cavity of the fire-retarding material of the first container.
 13. The method of claim 1 further comprising filling the annulus space with an insulating material.
 14. A method of storing or transporting an item comprising: storing a battery in a substantially airtight cavity of a container, the substantially airtight cavity formed by a fire-retarding material with a reinforcement material connected with the fire-retarding material, and wherein storing the battery comprises disposing a computer, a tablet, or a mobile phone that contains the battery in the substantially airtight cavity of the fire-retarding material of the container; and disposing the container in a vehicle, and powering a system of the vehicle with the battery while the battery is disposed in the substantially airtight cavity of the container. 